Learning English with Michelle

A Canadian ESL/EFL blog for Intermediate, Advanced. IELTS, TOEFL and TOEIC students who want to improve their English. The blog contains thousands of lessons, tutorials and practice exercises in Listening, speaking, Grammar, Reading, Writing, Editing, Pronunciation and even Music.

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Michelle's independent resources for ESL Students at Vancouver Community College

This is a Canadian ESL blog for Intermediate and AdvancedStudents who want to learn and improve their English. Each PAGE above contains thousands of free English lessons, tutorials and practice exercises to help you learn and improve your English grammar, reading, listening, pronunciation, speaking, writing and editing. Some of the resources are Canadian. Others are from around the world.

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Friday, December 23, 2016

Christmas has become a fun filled holiday for people all over the world - regardless of whether they are Christian or not. As a result many people are very familiar with the idea of Santa Claus, gift giving, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Jingle Bells and Christmas dinner of turkey and all the trimmings. However, some people are not familiar with the reason practicing Christians celebrate this special day.

The following video tells the story of Christmas that comes from the Bible. It does not matter if you believe the story or not, but IS is important to know the story itself if you want to understand Christian beliefs and culture.

Instructions:

Try to listen to the story several times WITHOUT reading the subtitles.

Then, try to answer the questions. ( Do NOT check your answers)

Next, go back and listen to the story while you read the subtitles.

Answer the questions again. Check the answers.

Read along WITH the speaker - at the same time, NOT after him. When you speak at the same time as the speaker, this is called shadow speaking.

I'm including some traditional Christmas carols that focus on the real meaning of Christmas. People have sung these carols for hundreds of years, so it is useful for you to know some of them.

Silent NightSilent Night ( German Stille Nach, heilige Nacht) is the best known Christmas carol in the world. It has been translated into more than 140 languages and sung by every singer who has ever released a Christmas album. Composed in 1818 in Austria, it was declared an intagible cultural heritage by UNESCO in March 20111. In 1914,during World War 1, soldiers on both sides called a Christmas truce for one night when one side heard the other singing silent night. All soldiers on both sides began singing the song in their own language as it was one song they all knew. That night, the enemy troops spent the evenig celebrating Christmas together singing, getting to know each other and talking about their loved ones. The next day, they went back to shooting and killing each other. Silent Night and the Seven O'clock News In 1966 Well known singers Simon and Garfunkel recorded two contrasting recordings:a simple arrangement of the Christmas carol "Silent Night", and a simulated "7 O'Clock News" bulletin of the actual events of 3 August 1966.

Breath of Heaven

This song focuses on how frightened Mary was and her hopes that she could live up to the responsibilities she was going to have as the mother of God. The video features scenes adapted from the 2007 film "The Nativity Story" by New Lines Productions Inc.

O Holy Night This song was originally written in French and is often sung at Christian services on Christmas eve. More than 100 artists have recorded this song, This version by Canadian singer Josh Groban is very powerful.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

This song focuses on what the shepherds in the field heard and saw on the first Christmas when Jesus was born.

What Child Is This

"What Child Is This?" is a popular Christmas carol written in 1865. At the age of 29, English writer William Chatterton Dix became very sick and almost died. He had to remain in bed for several months. He became very depressed during his illness, but after alomost dying he wrote the song What Child Is This set to the traditional English tune of Gleensleeves.

Sarah McLaugllin version is a little different, set to different music using the same words and could almost be a lullaby sung to a baby. .

The next two songs focus on the joy Christmas is supposed to bring and reminds us that we need to remember to keep some of that joy in our heart even when things in our life are bad.

Try to sing along with this next song as loudly as you can. Make sure you really open your mouth wide. It will help with your pronunciation, your phrasing and your speaking fluency.

Charles Schulz, the creator of "Peanuts" wrote a little fable about how a meaningful holiday such as Christmas has become so commercialized that it has lost any meaning. The only magic Christmas now allows is the kind we create ourselves when we pay attention to someone besides ourselves.

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" remains true to both the spirit of Christmas and to the spirit of "Peanuts."

Although it t emphasizes the need for hope and love, it still reminds us that the Christmas season can bring anxiety and a feeling of being alone and unloved for many people

"I know nobody likes me," sighs Charlie Brown in the animated special. "Why do we have to have a holiday season to emphasize it?"The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree The sad little Christmas tree Charlie buys for the school play represents all the world's underfed, unseen, unloved, ( trees, animals, people...) .However, it can still be rescued.

In fact, with a little love, care and attention, it can truly become something special and even magic.

Watch the special and learn about one of the most popular idioms about Christmas that comes from the story: "A Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. " Can you figure out what it means?

How Well did you Understand?

Watch the film as many times as you need to. Then see how many questions you can answer in the quiz below.

Now, can you answer the question: What is a Charlie Brown Christmas tree?

Celebrating 50 YearsCanadian jazz musician Jerry Granelli opens up about recording the now-iconic score to the beloved TV specialIt's Your 50th Birthday Charlie Brown In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the beloved tale, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Kristen Bell will hosts a 30 minute TV special. which includes live performances, from the memorable music of Vince Guaraldi, to Kristen Chenoweth singing “Happiness” from the “Peanuts” Broadway hit, and a performance from Matthew Morrison of an original song, “Just Like Me.” Other guests are Sarah McLachlan, Boyz II Men, Pentatonix, David Benoit and The All-American Boys Chorus. D

READING: NEWFind out more about the history and little known facts about Charlie Brown's Christmas. Read opinions for its success as well as about recent controversies surrounding its "religious" tone.

2. Why is it
that Charlie Brown as well as ourselves feel like we should have a certain type of feeling at Christmas?

3. Why is there more pressure on us to feel happy during the
Christmas season than at other time of year? Why is it we feel that there is something wrong with us if
we don't feel this way?

4. Studies show that a lot of people get depressed during or
just after holidays like Christmas ? Why do you think this happens?

5. What should depressed people do about this "
depression" or sadness?

6. According to Charlie Browns' friend Linus, what is Christmas
all about?

7. Do you think Christmas has become too commercial? Explain. How
could they make it more meaningful?

8. Charlie Brown
refused to "go along with" ( agree with what everyone else thoughtwas normal
when he was sure there was something better or more meaningful available. When is it good to go
"along" with everyone around you and when is it better to make your own way?

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

One of the most loved North American Christmas stories of all time is the story How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Although Dr. Seuss, a well-known children's writer, originally wrote the story for children, it has messages for young and old. The story and the animated video ,now shown on television every year at Christmas time, continues to delight millions of of people whether they are watching it for the first time, or the 30th time. Now that we have officially entered the Christmas season, this is a wonderful opportunity for you to watch an important piece of North American culture. It doesn't matter if you live in Australia, Europe, Asia or the Middle East, you will still enjoy learning a little about a series of Christmas messages that apply to every culture or religion.

If you plan to live in North America, or if you already live here, it is even more important that you know about this story by Dr. Seuss. If you can mention any aspect of the How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or of Who ville in casual conversation, people will think you are a true American or Canada, and really "get us." This is also a way you can get your children involved. Activity 1#Pre-listening: Read and go through the following power point on your own, or with your childrenPower Point Explaining the Basic Story and characters of How the Grinch Stole Christmas Listening:Watch the video as many times as you need to know and answer the comprehension questions below.

1. Listen to the song without looking at the gap fill. Try to write down all the negative

words that describe Mr. Grinch, for exdample: "mean" .

2. Listen as many times as you need and fill in the gaps.

3. Sing-along . This is a great song to practice enunciating. Make sure you open your mouth as wide as you can in order to let your tongue get to the right place. Sing as slowly as the singer.

How the Grinch
Stole Christmas

Discussion and Writing
Questions

1.Why do you think the Grinch hated
Christmas so much?

2. What role does Cindy Lou play
in the story. What does she do to change the Grinch?

3. Why do you think the Who's reacted the
way they did when they found out that all their things had been stolen?

4. Do you know anyone who is like
the Grinch? What might some be some reasons why that person acts that way?

5. What did the people of Whoville learn
from the Grinch's behaviour in the story?

6. If you were the Grinch's defense
attorney, what kind of arguments could you make in

his favour?

7. What is the message of the
story? Is there more than one message? Explain.

8. If you had to spend an afternoon
with Grinch for the afternoon what would you do to

get the Grinch in the
holiday spirit?

9. If you could give the Grinch
one gift, what would it be?

10. List some differences between the Grinch
and Cindy's Lou's personalities. Give examples.

11. The Grinch has a serious
character flaw. He experiences a crisis and then changes for the better. Describe the Grinch's character flaw at the
beginning of the story. What crisis changes him? How does he change?

12. Dr. Seuss wrote How the Grinch Stole
Christmas to point out how the media and marketing have created a holiday focused on spending money to buy
things.

Discuss how has the media
changed holidays such as Christmas, New Years, Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day,
Mother;s Day etc. and how they are celebrated.

13. Would you write a different ending to the
story? Explain why or why not. If yes, how would you end it?

14. Do you know anyone who had some bad
personality characteristics, but who became a better person after something happened to him or her. This could be you,
or anyone you know. Tell what happened, and
why this person changed.

15. Write a letter to persuade the Grinch why
he should change his mind.

Readers Theatre How the Grinch Stole ChristmasThis is an easier version of the story written like a small play. It is perfect for students to use as a play in the classroom. The roles are broken down so that everyone can have one , two or even three parts.

Assign roles to different students and have the practice in groups. ( If you have a large class, you could divide them into two or three groups)

Start with having them read their lines normally, but fluently, without hesitating or stumbling.

Go over the pronunciation of different words.

Now, have the students put the maximum amount of expression in their voice. Practice as often as they need.

Have them memorize their lines and be able to repeat them in the correct order.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Love is one of the main messages of Christmas. People all over the world enjoy sharing their love with each other at this special time. But Christmas can also be a time of loss and heartbreak - a time when people remember a love lost and the wonderfu times they had.Although these are not traditional Christmas carols, the following songs have no become classics because they show both the joy, the sadness and the yearning that Christmas and the holiday season brings to people in love.

Here are a few songs to keep you in the mood, whether you are happy or sad. Listen, play the game. Then sing along. There's lots of Christmas vocabulary here. Try some.All I Want for Christmas is You:But first, let's try some some vocabulary review Before you watch:1. When you stand under this, you have to kiss someone 2. Underneath means ________________ 2. This is made out of snow and often has eyes, a nose and stick arms 3. We roast these type of nuts on the fire. 4. What do people put under the Christmas tree and open on Christmas morning?

WHAM: Last Christmas Have you ever experienced a sad Christmas when everything reminded you of a former love? I'm sure you are not alone. As everyone knows even people whose heart is broken still get through it. The next song is about that.

Shake Up Christmas Although this Christmas pop song was only released in 2010, it has become so popular that Coca Cola has started using it for its Christmas advertising campaign. It is easy to see why as the upbeat song encourages people to spread love and happiness at this time of year.

Mistletoe by Justin Bieber

Before you listen to the song:

1. Justin Bieber uses the word "Imma" several times during the song. This is slang for

"I'm going to be"

2. Cheer is another word for joy.

3. What is this below?

4. If you spend time "chilling" with someone, you ___

5. shawti is slang for ______________________________'

6. When you "stare" at someone, you ______

CHRISTMAS WRAPPED UP IN RED

Many of us are afraid to tell the people we love how we feel, so we hide our feelings. Sometimes it's worth being brave and taking a chance to open up about those feelings. Who knows what could happen. Listen to the following song to see what Kelly Clarkson has to sat about it.

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Many of you may not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. But that should not stop you from enjoying the many non-religious traditions associated with Christmas, or "holiday season" as some politically correct places have chosen to call Christmas .

In fact, this is excellent time to have fun practicing your English with Christmas activities both in the classroom and at home - with your friends, families and children.

Get into the spirit of Christmas by singing

One of my favourite activities during the Christmas season is singing Christmas songs and carols. In fact, one of my earliest memories is sitting outside my parents' bedroom door at 6 a.m. on Christmas morning singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

There are hundreds of wonderful songs you can listen and sing along to. Some are traditional carols that focus on the religious aspect of Christmas. Others are popular songs that focus on what Christmas means for many different people: family, friends, home, snow, magic....

During the next few weeks, I will be posting a variety of Christmas activities to help you practice your English. Today, I will begin with a few famous Christmas songs that you may or may not already know.

Listen to the songs. Fill in the blanks. Then sing along as many times as you can. It will help you improve your listening, speaking, pronunciation and even your vocabulary.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

This song was originally written for children in order to warn them to be good boys and girls if they wanted to get presents from Santa Claus. The song has now been turned into a pop song that also appeals to young people and adults. Many different artists have sung it, but these days, Justin Bieber's version is the most popular one. I have added the children's sing-along version as well. Try singing along with both versions.

Let It Snow

If you don't live in a winter climate, this seems like an unusual song to sing at Christmas, but if you live in the northern part of North America, Christmas usually means lots of snow, and brings many happy memories for most people. This version of "Let it Snow" by Dean Martin has always been a huge favourite for millions of people in North America. I hope you enjoy it.

.

Winter Wonderland

Richard Smith, a young man suffering from turberculosis wrote this song from his bed in a sanatorium. Looking out the window, he saw people playing in the park and wished that he too could be out enjoying himself in the freshly fallen snow. He wrote a poem describing all the things he would do when he was healthy again. His friend, musician Felix Bernard put the words to music and Winter Wonderland was released in 1934. It was immediately successful. To this day more than 200 artists have covered the song. Unfortunately, Smith saw little of this success. He died of his illness just a year after the song was releassed, the day before his 34th birthday.

Jingle Bell Rock

Jingle Bell Rock is a dance party song written in the 1950s when rock and roll was still very new. It immediately became popular because it was such a happy song and was so much fun to sing and dance to. It still remains very popular and almost everybody in North America knows the word by heart and can sing along to the words without looking at a piece of paper. Try singing along. You'll love it.

Rockin Around the Christmas TreeBrenda Lee’s version of the song—unquestionably the best version—was performed and recorded when she was only 13 years old.

Some will say that Brenda Lee invented the idea of dancing around a Christmas tree with her classic Christmas song, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” However, this traditional way of celebrating has roots that are far older than the 1960’s.

In the 14th century, the tree was decorated will all sorts of sweets and cookies and small candles were placed in decorated eggshells among the boughs. On the 12th day of Christmas, traditionally believed as the day that the Magi arrived at the manger in Bethlehem bearing gifts, the Christmas tree was shaken and all of the treats and candy would fall out of the boughs and onto the floor. The children were then allowed to eat everything that fell out of the tree and usually resulted in a sugar rush that saw the children dancing and rocking around the Christmas tree for the rest of the evening.

Share the love!

If you enjoyed this post, invite your friends and family to join in the fun, or post this to Facebook or any other social siteyou belong to in your own country.

What are some of YOURfavourite Christmas songs and activities that you would like to see here? Why do you like them?

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About Me

I am an ESL instructor at Vancouver Community College in Vancouver, British Columbia. I've been teaching ESL for almost 20 years. In my previous life, I was a newspaper journalist and a public relations manager for health organizations and hospitals.